Hankook Launches Two 300 km/h Tyres

Hankook has launched two 300 km/h UHP tyres into the UK market, the Ventus S1 evo tyre and the Ventus R-S2 track day tyre. “The UHP sector is expected to experience growth in the order of 60 per cent or more over the next five years and Hankook is poised to take advantage of this increase, having doubled its UHP tyre sales year-on-year for each of the past three years,” said UK sales manager, Ian Mayoll, explaining the motivation behind the releases.

Designed and developed in Europe, the S1 is intended as “a lifestyle product.” Although the Y rated tyre is obviously capable of speed, one of the designers’ main targets was to reduce the “white noise level.” According to the company, the use of a unique silica compound, and a development intensive profile ensured that the latest release achieved a noise level “well below that of other UHP tyres in all ranges.”

The Ventus S1 features an asymmetrical profile pattern, while stiffening ribs ensure optimum ground contact is achieved during cornering. In Hankook’s words, “the excellent cornering behaviour, which includes harmonic load distribution in the tyre tread, has also been optimised through the use of newly developed tyre walls. The S1 evo is available in 17 to 22 inch rim sizes, a run-flat version of the tyre is also available.

Hankook has also launched a road legal track day tyre capable of speeds up to 300 km/h, the Ventus R-S2. The company says its latest product was released in response to the increase in popularity of high performance track days at race circuits.

The R-S2 is based on a High Grip Silica Compound (HGSC). This technology means that higher temperatures move resin particles to the tyres’s surface to create extra grip. In addition, the company claims its product produces “very tight and crisp cornering” as a result of using extra wide shoulder blocks, steel reinforcement and a two-layer rayon carcass. The tyre also features a “36 per cent wider tread for grater traction.” Hankook adds that the Ventus R-S2 is designed to provide maximum performance in the wet, with improved resistance to aquaplaning.